World Book Night announces book picks for 2013

Related Media

World Book Night U.S. announced its new honorary national chairpeople - bestselling authors Ann Patchett and James Patterson - and the WBN 2013 U.S. book picks. In addition, World Book Night U.S. has opened the online application process for those wishing to become volunteer book givers this spring.World Book Night U.S. is part of an ambitious global campaign to encourage reading. World Book Night U.K., where this program first began in 2010, also announced its book list and giver application process this week. In the U.S., a half million free books will be handed out in towns and cities across America all on April 23, 2013 by enlisting 25,000 volunteer book lovers to help promote reading by going into their communities and personally handing out specially printed copies to light or non-readers and to those without the means or access to printed books.James Patterson said: "In my experience, when people like what they are doing, they do more of it. This is the genius of World Book Night - it gets people reading by connecting them with amazing, enjoyable books. I'm honored to be a part of it." "I'm very proud to be a part of World Book Night," Ann Patchett added. "As both a writer and a bookseller, I'm all in favor of getting books into the hands of people who might not otherwise have access to them."The 30 World Book Night U.S. titles for 2013, chosen by an independent panel of booksellers and librarians, were also announced. Thousands of copies of each World Book Night title will be printed as special, not-for-resale paperbacks."This isn't a best-books-of-all-time list; these are contemporary or classic books that appeal to a wide range of new readers," said Carl Lennertz, World Book Night U.S. executive director. "We looked for diversity and variety in all things: subject matter, age level, gender, as well as ethnic and geographic considerations. Last year's givers also got to nominate books. This is a beautiful mix with, I hope, some old friends and nice surprises! And we thank the authors, who have agreed to waive royalties on the World Book Night editions."Volunteer book givers may apply at www.worldbooknight.org now through Jan. 23 by providing answers to several questions and picking a book title to give out from the World Book Night U.S. 2013 list.Booksellers like The Bookworm of Edwards are one of the great driving forces of World Book Night U.S. During the first year, they helped distribute many of the half a million books to volunteer book givers by hosting a pick-up center. Once again The Bookworm of Edwards is a host bookstore in 2013."We believe that the wide range of books being offered will appeal to our volunteer book givers and, in turn, to a half million new readers," Lennertz said.